Applications will open on Monday, January 27th and will remain open for a two week period. Here are a few things you can expect to see on the application forms:

COMPETITORS:

• Description of your overall dance experience, style, skill level, and any unique elements you bring to the table

• Experience as a competitor and/or instructor, creating original choreography of varying styles, and/or working within tight deadlines (if applicable)

• Studio affiliation (attend or teach)

• Instagram handle

• VIDEO SUBMISSION (IMPORTANT): Applicants will be required to submit a dance video that follows the standard weekly competition video format. IF YOU ARE SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COMPETITION, THIS VIDEO WILL SERVE AS YOUR VIDEO SUBMISSION FOR THE FIRST ROUND/ROUND ZERO (DESCRIPTION BELOW).

• ROUND ZERO (NO ELIMINATION): The first ‘round’ of the game will serve as an introduction round with no eliminations. The theme or challenge for the Introduction/Round Zero will be announced on Instagram once the application period opens (all applicants will submit application videos according to the same challenge, but with their own personal spin on it). Applicants who are selected to participate will have their Application/Round Zero videos featured the week before the start of Round 1, and the ‘winner’ of Round Zero will determine the category/song assignment for Round 1.

JUDGES

Applicants for judging can expect:

• Description of your overall dance experience, style, skill level and any unique elements you feel qualified to judge

• Past experience with judging competitions and/or competing

• Experience creating or teaching choreography of varying styles

• Ability to work within competition deadlines

• Studio affiliation (attend or teach)

• Instagram handle

• Interest in submitting judge feature videos

COMPETITORS: To participate in the Dare to Daze virtual pole dance competition, competitors must create and publicly post weekly videos on Instagram within a 3-day time frame until they are eliminated.

JUDGES: Judges will review these videos and submit their scores and comments through a confidential third-party document within 2 days of the videos being posted. All other logistics, including organizing and managing the competition, will be handled by the host, Gemini Daze Videography.

There is no specific skill level requirement to participate in the Dare to Daze competition; however, the weekly challenge themes may be difficult with increased pressure due to the 3-day video submission deadline and the possibility of being assigned songs or categories chosen by the previous round winner - potentially songs you’ve never heard before. This competition requires adaptability, creativity, determination, and a solid foundation of skill. Applicants with experience in choreography, prior competition experience, versatility in styles and genres, strong stage presence, and the ability to handle elimination are encouraged to apply. While there is no set skill level, the final group of dancers will be selected based on compatibility to ensure a balanced and exciting competition.

*Please note that scoring will focus heavily on creative ability, overall flow, stage (screen) presence, and execution of the assigned elements, rather than trick difficulty or skill level. High-level tricks do not necessarily guarantee a higher score.

The competition will officially begin on Monday, February 24th. Here is a general breakdown of the overall timeline:

OVERALL COMPETITION TIMELINE:

WEEK 1-2: APPLICATION PERIOD
WEEK 3: FINALISTS (COMPETITORS & JUDGES) NOTIFIED & CONFIRMED
WEEK 4: ORIENTATION MEETING(S) AND FINALIST ANNOUNCEMENTS
WEEK 5: COMPETITION BEGINS / ROUND ZERO (6 COMPETITORS)
WEEK 6: ROUND 1 (6 COMPETITORS)
WEEK 7: ROUND 2 (5 COMPETITORS)
WEEK 8: ROUND 3 (4 COMPETITORS)
WEEK 9: ROUND 4 (3 COMPETITORS)
WEEK 10: ROUND 5 (2 COMPETITORS - FINAL ROUND)
WEEK 11: WINNER ANNOUNCED

WEEKLY TIMELINE/DEADLINES:

MONDAY 11AM EST: PREVIOUS ROUND RESULTS ANNOUNCED (WINNER & ELIMINATION) / NEXT ROUND DETAILS ANNOUNCED ON @GEMINIDAZE.VIDEO
(Winner assignments must be made by 7PM EST on Monday*)

THURSDAY 7PM EST: COMPETITOR VIDEOS DUE FOR SUBMISSION & REVIEW (FINAL CHECK)

FRIDAY 11AM EST: COMPETITORS POST VIDEOS ON INSTAGRAM VIA COLLAB WITH HOST (ROUND DETAILS & ASSIGNMENT DISPLAYED IN CAPTION) / JUDGING BEGINS

SATURDAY 11:59PM EST: JUDGE ROUND SCORES & COMMENTS DUE AT 11:59PM EST (CONFIDENTIAL - SUBMITTED VIA DOCUMENT SHARE)

MONDAY 11AM EST: ROUND RESULTS POSTED / NEXT ROUND DETAILS (REPEAT)

***IMPORTANT: THE HIGHEST SCORING COMPETITOR OF EACH ROUND HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASSIGN THE CATEGORIES AND/OR SONGS TO ALL COMPETITORS FOR THE NEXT ROUND. WINNER/ROUND DETAILS ARE ANNOUNCED ON MONDAY AT 11AM EST - WINNING COMPETITORS MUST MAKE THEIR ASSIGNMENTS BY 7PM EST ON MONDAY IN ORDER TO RETAIN WINNER’S ADVANTAGE. IF ASSIGNMENTS ARE NOT MADE BY 7PM EST, WINNER’S ADVANTAGE WILL BE FORFEITED AND ASSIGNMENT WILL BE RANDOMIZED.

Overall, competitors can expect a weekly video commitment with a ~3 day turnaround deadline (until eliminated), and judges can expect a weekly commitment with a ~2 day turnaround deadline.

Competitors for the Dare to Daze virtual pole dance competition will be selected based on their compatibility with other applicants to ensure comparable skill levels and create a dynamic, engaging competition. The final group of six dancers will be chosen to balance similar skill levels while showcasing diverse styles, making the challenges both fair and exciting.

Please note that in order to ensure fairness, the Dare to Daze competition will not take place if a compatible group of competitors cannot be formed once the application period closes. Applicants are encouraged to invite friends or dancers of similar skill levels to apply, as increasing the pool of compatible participants can improve your chances of being selected.

Judges for the Dare to Daze virtual pole dance competition will be selected during the same application period as competitors. The final three judges will be chosen based on their skill and artistry level, experience in competing, choreography and teaching, and potential conflicts of interest with competitors. While the application process includes questions about studio affiliation and relationships with applicants to assess conflicts, attending the same studio as a competitor does not automatically disqualify you from judging. Judges will be selected after the application period closes to ensure fairness and objectivity.

*Judges who are selected will receive a lifetime voucher for a 1-hour video shoot with Gemini Daze

At this time, application to and participation in the Dare to Daze Virtual Pole Dance Competition is completely free.

Judges: Participating judges will have the option to submit two of their own videos (up to 90 seconds) to be featured during the span of the competition. Feature videos can be any format or style (choreo, tutorial, artistic, promotion for private classes, etc.), as long as it does not directly promote a 3rd party entity (business, studio, etc. - see sponsorships for additional promotion options).

Sponsorships: At this time, the Dare to Daze Virtual Pole Dance Competition does not offer paid sponsorship opportunities. If you would like to discuss sponsorship options for a future event, please contact Gemini Daze directly.

• Your weekly challenge video will feature your original choreography (or freestyle) to your assigned category/and or song. Your final submission must be recorded in one straight shot (no cuts or effects). However, you may practice & re-record your submission as many times as you want, as long as it is submitted & posted by the deadline.

• Video Length: Videos must be between 60 and 90 seconds in length and primarily feature active dancing or artistic expression (no overtly drawn out introductions or endings to occupy time).

• Equipment/Filming: Special equipment (camera, lights, etc.) for filming is not required. As long as your viewers can clearly see your full expression that is all that matters! Please make sure your video has adequate light, is free of any overlaying text or effects, and is filmed/posted in portrait orientation (9:16 - standard Reel/story format).

• Video Song: Songs options will be announced on Instagram (@geminidaze.video) on Mondays at 11AM EST. Depending on the round, you will either have a song assigned to you by the previous round winner (by 7PM EST), or it will be labeled as ‘Dancer’s Choice’. If the round is labeled as ‘Dancer’s Choice’, you must select a song that is currently available on the Instagram music library and overlay it on your video in order to avoid copyright infringement and/or audio muting. Once you know your song, the clock starts!

• Video Caption: For each of your challenge videos, all round information will be listed in your caption (round number, assigned category and/or song, etc.). Specific caption template/format will be provided to all competitors directly during the competition.

• Outfits/Costumes: There are no costume or outfit requirements to keep participation accessible for all competitors. Over-the-top costumes, props, or decorations are discouraged unless indicated otherwise for a specific round (i.e. use of prop) - although there will be no judging criteria specifically focusing on outfit, dancers are encouraged to wear appropriate clothing that complements their theme and routine. All costumes must comply with Instagram’s community guidelines on nudity (e.g., no full-bottom exposure). Keep it simple, creative, and appropriate!

• When and How to Post: Competitors will send or upload a preview of their video to the host (either DM @geminidaze.video or via link) by 7PM EST on Thursday for completion & review. Once approved, competitors will post their video submission to their personal Instagram account on Friday morning anytime before 12PM EST (scheduling available) and tag the host (@geminidaze.video) using the collaboration feature. This will allow the host to serve as a competition ‘hub’ while still ensuring that the competitors themselves receive full audience and social media engagement on their own accounts/created content.

• Once competitors make their weekly post on Friday, they have successfully completed the round. Round results (winner & elimination) and the details for the next round will be announced the following Monday at 11AM EST.

The competitor that successfully wins the final round wins $250 CASH!